Why mediation is often the best way for family law issues

An agreement negotiated through mediation is a constructive approach to resolving disputes. It is likely to have a better impact on the family unit than reliance on court-imposed orders. Children benefit from co-operation between parents and relatives; financial arrangements can be effectively and more cheaply arranged by mediation which is far more cost effective than legal proceedings.

We can arrange assessment meetings for parties in dispute; at a preliminary meeting they can be seen separately or together.

At this stage we will discuss any issues of concern: she can provide information about the mediation process and obtain relevant information from the parties. The parties can then decide whether mediation is the best way forward in the particular circumstances of their case.

Mediation can lead to improved communication between parties and better-focused attention to the needs of any children.

Should financial matters need resolutions, there must be an exchange of full and frank financial information. This information is provided openly; however, any proposals for settlement during the course of mediation are not legally binding. This means that genuine attempts to settle can be made without any underlying threat of prejudice in later court proceeding which would only be needed if mediation fails to produce an agreement. Confidential advice can be sought by each party from lawyers at any time during the mediation process; each party will also be encouraged to seek legal advice in drafting any proposals for conversion into a legally binding agreement.

Is mediation compulsory?

No, mediation is a voluntary process.

However, before any legal proceedings can start, the court will expect (save in very exceptional cases) that each of the parties will have met a mediator in order to investigate alternative ways of resolving differences whether in relation to children or to financial matters.

A party who has not attended a meeting with a Mediator may face a costs penalty and/or be referred by the court to mediation. Accordingly, it is wise to meet a Mediator sooner rather than later.

A Mediator is impartial; it is the Mediator’s aim is to help and support parties in improving communication during the legal process and afterwards. Mediation usually helps to reduce family animosity or conflict.

Mediation can play an important role in helping families to cope with separation and conflict. More and more often families find that mediation provides a sure basis upon which to make progress.

To find out more about mediation, please contact Mrs. Brenda Wong Robinson

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01793 698106

調解談判 – 一個更佳的方法 (Traditional Chinese)

調解是通過一個建設性的途徑來解決紛爭的談判，而達成一項和解建議。對一個家庭來說，調解談判或許比依賴法院的裁判結果帶來的影響更為優勝。通過調解談判，父母和親戚之間的彼此合作，兒童因而從中得益；財務安排更為有效，以及較為便宜的調解安排，這遠勝法律訴訟，更具成本效益。

本律師樓黃穎錫律師可提供有關調解服務的資料，為爭端的雙方安排評估會議，而且他們可以在預備會議中單獨或一起會面傾談議案。

在這個階段，調解員會討論任何涉及的問題，提供調解過程中的信息，以及獲得雙方的相關資料，從而判斷調解是否促進在這案件中的具體情況的最佳途徑。調解致力改善雙方之間的溝通，以便更為集中注意在兒童身上的需要。

在解決財務事項上，雙方必須交換一個全面和坦誠的財務資料。提供這些資料是公開的。 在調解過程中，任何和解建議都是不具有法律約束力。 這意味正正解決，如果雙方調解未能達成協議，在以後法院所需的訴訟，是沒有潛在任何威脅性的偏見。在調解過程中，各方事主可以私下聘請律師作保密的諮詢，尋求法律意見，草擬一份具有法律約束力的協議書。

我一定要參與調解服務嗎？

不是，調解服務是一個自願性的過程。 但是，在啟動任何法律程序之前，法院會期望（除了非常特殊個案下）每一方都須要與調解員會面，從而尋求解決有關兒童及財務事項上的分歧。 缺席與調解員會議的一方可面臨罰款及／或由法院轉介調解。 因此與調解員會面是明智的，不要延耽。

調解員是公正的。其目的是支援雙方在於調解過程中和事後的幫助，以加強彼此之間的溝通。調解通常有助減少家庭的敵意或衝突。

調解服務可以發揮重要的作用，幫助家庭應付分離和衝突。 越來越多家庭發現調解服務可以提供一定的基礎，使家庭問題賴以改善。

欲想知道更多有關調解服務，請與黃穎錫律師接洽。

Mrs. Brenda Wong Robinson

電子郵件: [email protected]

電話: 01793 698106